Bruce Calvert & John Prokop's Trip: England 2004

Bruce Calvert and John Prokop's Trips

Southwestern England in 2004

A great part of our summer 2004 trip to England was spent in Cornwall and Devon, both of which boast moors full of wild ponies such as these. On the day these were taken, we saw quite a few mares and foals, and witnessed the established stallion chasing off a young challenger, while this young filly placidly nursed her mom. As on much of our trip, it was chilly and damp, and the pony treckers were well bundled up against the elements.

Neither of us has ever been to Mont St. Michelle, so we looked forward to seeing its smaller and younger cousin, St. Michael's Mount, in Cornwall. This is the harbor you see here. We were not disappointed. It was low tide when we arrived, so we walked across the causeway, and climbed up to the castle you see on top. Very steep and all cobblestone, and the owners, who are in their 70's, go up the same way!

The Eden Project, also in Cornwall, is becoming quite well known, with its 3 biospheres – local, tropical, and Mediterranean. Every plant there has a practical use, from food to furniture to reeds for woodwind instruments. This English robin is one of a number of small animals that have made their way in. The large mammal leaning against the bougainvillea-covered shed is well-known to most of you as my husband and home entertainment center, John Prokop.

One afternoon tour took us to St. Just in Roseland, a lovely old church in one of the prettiest settings I have ever seen. It is nestled down against a hill on one side, with water on the other, and lush vegetation all around. We enjoyed a picnic at the table provided, and had to share our late lunch with one of those robins pictured above, who seemed fearless when food was near, coming within 20 inches of my hand.

We saw lots of gardens, as this part of the UK is filled with them. Some have rather interesting features, but none more so than this head of a giant at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Due to rain, I unfortunately didn't get a picture of the 18 foot long recumbant wood nymph in another part of the garden. Heligan is an old garden which had grown over completely until some brave souls began restoration about 14 years ago.

Tintagel Castle, on the north coast of Cornwall, may have connections to the Arthurian legend, and some speculate that a cave below may have been Merlin's. The current remains date to the mid-12th century. The coast in this area is beautiful and dramatic.

Towards the end of our trip, we headed for Bradford-on-Avon, near Bath. Along the way, we stopped to see Wells Cathedral, where we found these scissor arches. Next door is the Bishop's Palace, where the swans were kind enough to greet us at the entrance, no doubt seeing my camera out. The gardens were lovely, with huge trees and the inevitable ruins.

Staying in Bradford-on-Avon turned out to be a great bit of serendipity, as the town has lovely buildings of Cotswold stone on both sides of the river. The town bridge boasts a small building from the 13th century which began as a chapel, but was used as a jail beginning in the 17th century. The "Old Church" (Saxon), dates from 700 AD, and the "New Church", just across the street, was not built until 850 AD!! The buildings you see here are probably early 17th to18th c., and face the bridge.

Our last day was spent at Blenheim Palace, built by Queen Anne for John Churchill (ancestor of Winston) after he won the battle of Blenheim in 1704. At the end of the excellent exhibition there, they ponder how different history might have been had the French won that battle as it would have changed the balance of power in Europe. John Churchill was truly a man ahead of his time. When other generals fed their armies by raiding the territory they were passing through, he took food and cooks along with him, and medical supplies. Amazing what a healthy army with full stomachs can accomplish!